growing areas

Lots of different factors have come into play to help us decide where we should try and grow food. Some main considerations in this locality are, water availability and ease of protection from the wild boar. Growing food further down below the house is advantageous, because we can irrigate more easily including using 'greywater' (waste water) from the house, and there is more natural available water further down the mountain. Flat land is much easier to cultivate, and Cortelha flat terrace, although it is a bit of a way from the house, has the added advantage of partial protection from the pigs with the existng quinta walls.

There is a spring in Cortelha pond, and we hope soon to be able to pipe water from a cistern we have built to provide a continuous supply of water all year round for food production. 100 metres squared of growing beds have been dug so far, there is also a composting area, and seven different citrus trees, surrounded by wild strawberries. We estimate we need to develop a further 100 metres squared to become much more independent in food production below the main building on Cassaca.

We have tried to grow everything organically, without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. However we do not rule out their use completely, depending on the specific circumstance, and an analysis of possible benefits and consequences. We have experimented with various different cultivation methods on this mountain soil, but have reached the conclusion it is better to dig in the top turf, but to compost material off the beds, and add the compost later. We have growing beds 1.5 metres wide, which is just wide enough to be able to reach across without stepping on the soil, and they will be 'no-dig' beds. However we have found some forking over is necessary to eliminate troublesome weeds.

​Other factors help to determine what food gets grown where. Close to the house is the ideal place for things that need attention and frequent watering, like lettuces and strawberries in home made grow bags, young tender plants, and things in pots. We also have collected herbs close to the house, so it is easy to nip out from the kitchen whilst cooking.

​Currently we have also some growing beds further up on higher terraces, close to the mina. These have previously been irrgated by the mina over the summer, but might be reserved now for winter crops, like broad beans and peas, and onions, which can mature over the spring and early summer without water. We have tried to compost things near where we are growing food.

​We are going to try and grow some crops (like cabbages) nearer to natural sources of water, and use the stone channels and existing irrigation system to better effect, in conjunction with the changes we have made, like constructing a cistern around Cortelha spring.

​However neither of us are in any way experts at growing anything! Everyone can have a go at growing their own food. There is no right or wrong, what matters is establishing the connection between ourselves and the natural world, observing and learning from this.